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Goodbye Secret Garden

GOODBYE SECRET GARDEN Once upon a time, my father planted a Christmas tree, It stood tall and proud, a landmark for all to see, But lightning struck this magnificent sight, Which every Christmas shone with lights so bright, It had to be cut down, despite my desperate plea! We cut two thirds down, felt sure it was safe and sound, The last third, I landscaped a secret garden around, I didn’t want my dad sad whenever he looked down, Or to be unhappy and maybe develop a frown, Each flower was planted with bliss into the ground. But now we are about to sell our home, I’m sad, For memories were made here, most of them glad, Will in time fade away I fear to say, And don’t look forward to the day we move away, But our new home that we built is awesomely rad!

Copyright © | Year Posted 2018




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Date: 12/14/2018 1:32:00 PM
My great friend, your loving and wonderful memories of your father are safe and firmly. lovingly held in your heart. Such one carries wherever they go. This is both a moving and very beautiful creation. Your poet's heart gave verses that reminds us that passed loved ones are near and watch over us.. A fav.. a very fine jewel this is..
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Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 12/15/2018 12:06:00 PM
Yes Robert you are so right, and it is going to break my heart moving to another home which we plan to do in the not too distant future. My Dad is everywhere in the ga rden, every tree, every bush is his. When my mother died five years ago, we moved to my paternal home - so many memories here! Thank-you for a heartfelt comment. Best wishes, Jennifer.
Date: 12/5/2018 9:57:00 AM
Hi Jennifer...luckily, wherever we go, we take our memories with us, so leaving your childhood house behind is not as bad as it might seem. I am sure that moving to a new house and home is a choice to look forward to. Perhaps you have ample space where to plant a Christmas tree:) Enjoyed reading this delightful poem. ~ Warm regards // paul
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Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 12/5/2018 10:15:00 AM
Hi Paul, hope you are well. You are a poet of note and with so many wins under your belt - congratulations. Happy you enjoyed my poem - have mixed emotions about moving but excited also. Warm regards, Jennifer
Date: 12/5/2018 5:01:00 AM
Loved your secret garden Jennifer...great description...love & light...^WW^
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Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 12/5/2018 10:12:00 AM
Hi Winged Warrior, thank you for your kind comment and love that you loved my poem, xoxo, jennifer.
Date: 12/4/2018 5:53:00 PM
Jennifer, this is LOVELY! It makes me think of how I drive by the homeplace of my early childhood, though the HOUSE is gone! Janice
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Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 12/4/2018 10:40:00 PM
Thank-you Janice, for understanding my heartache. Each room has been refurnished and the whole house was renovated to our liking. Last of all, after the lightening I relandscaped our garden. People used and still do ( as we have not sold it yet) knock on our door to ask if they may use our garden for bridal photos. But you know how I feel when you drive past your childhood house where so many memories were made, even though the house is no longer there! xoxo, Jennifer.
Date: 12/4/2018 4:18:00 PM
I truly relate to this poem, Jennifer, having planted trees where ever i have resided. The poetry though is wonderful, and heartfelt..
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Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 12/4/2018 10:47:00 PM
Hi Harry, Our garden is at its best, and our home is just how we like it, our friends cannot understand why we are leaving. Our children have flown the nest and it is just too massive for us to live in now, so we build a smaller house which is also dreamy! Thank you for your kind comment, Best wishes, Jennifer
Date: 12/4/2018 2:32:00 PM
I know that when lightening his a fav'd tree, for a nature loving person, it can be difficult. But you've made lemonade out of that experience and perhaps another tree will come your way soon. Wonderful poem.
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Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 12/4/2018 11:47:00 PM
We have already planted trees in our new house and hope when we eventually sell here in Johannesburg and go to Pretoria, we will be as happy there as we have been here. I am taking a chunk of the old tree there and will use it in my landscaping of that Garden, M.L you sound like a wonderfully kind person, thank you for your comment. xoxo, Jennifer.
Date: 12/4/2018 5:37:00 AM
What a magnificent tree and what a touching poem. Since the Xmas tree has been cut, you get much more sunlight in your garden and just think if lightning did not strike you would not have dabbled in landscaping your garden to what it is now...Beautiful, Green and colourful when all flowers bloom. Kim
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Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 12/5/2018 12:04:00 AM
Hi Kim, and what a magnificent comment you sent me. Yes, the strike was directly on the tree, and it was maybe my dad's request as he wanted me to re-landscape our garden, he looked down saw my absolute delight in landscaping and so asked God to please help him to give me a fresh start ! xoxo, Jennifer
Date: 12/3/2018 8:16:00 PM
To Apaches, a tree struck by lightning is sacred, perhaps blessing your exquisite garden? You might want to take a chunk of that old tree to your new garden! Aloha! Rico
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Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 12/4/2018 1:02:00 AM
I wish i could post a photo of my secret garden, but poetry soup don't allow us to attach our own images of photos (They only talk of HTML) I also have a lot of sketches which I done depicting all my poems which i would love to attach, but it seems that members only post from the internet) Yasou, Jennifer.
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Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 12/4/2018 12:51:00 AM
Thank-you for letting me know Rico, I have already got big chunks with pots on which I asked the tree fellers to do for me, will certainly take one or two with us when we eventually sell and leave. Thanks again Rico, I enjoy beliefs from different cultures and people. yasou. Jennifer
Date: 12/3/2018 7:01:00 AM
A lovely poem; your first new memory...you'll enjoy perusing them all. Well penned.
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Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 12/3/2018 9:32:00 AM
I definitely will M.L. Nice to meet you and thank you for stopping by.My Parents lived in this house for many years and have both passed on, they left the house to us and we made major renovations, just as we wanted it, but its time to move on and our new one we have built is equally nice , so yes new memories to be made. xoxo, Jennifer.
Date: 12/2/2018 3:31:00 PM
Such a sweet piece Jennifer, yes the memories of past can still go with you plus build new ones in your new abode. Blessings, Gordon
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Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 12/2/2018 11:46:00 PM
Hi Gordon, thank-you for your comment which is meaningful and kind. I know new memories will be made in our new abode, but I so want to cling onto the old as well. Best wishes Jennifer
Date: 12/2/2018 2:15:00 PM
And the beat goes on...memories to be reviewed...Soon the new home will fill your hearts...All the best Jennifer...
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Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 12/2/2018 11:56:00 PM
hi Artu,to, That's so sweet thanks Artuto. I know we will enjoy our new home, but just so so sad. I lived here with my parents and when they died left us their house. We sold ours and moved to my old home and my husband and i made major alterations, and my garden just looks exquisite. Best Wishes, Jennifer
Date: 12/2/2018 1:40:00 PM
Sweet are those memories that we keep alive into our hearts and words! Precious souls.. treasured "Christmas tree, garden, home.." the past will always be part of who you are dearest Jennifer! A wonderful piece of the heart in a work of art! A pleasure to read. Warmest wishes. Love and hugs.
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Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 12/3/2018 1:11:00 AM
Hi Bsma, Your comments are always so spot on and your understanding of every poem is so amazing. Thank-you Besma. I'm sure we will make many new happy memories in our new home! Love and hugs, Jennifer

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